China’s coast guard caused collision at sea, Philippines says
The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” that led to a collision between its coast guard ship and a Chinese vessel in the South China Sea.
March 5, 2024
The Philippines has accused China’s Coast Guard of causing a collision at sea, raising tensions between the two countries in the disputed South China Sea. The incident occurred near the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop claimed by both countries, on April 7th.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese vessel rammed into a Filipino fishing boat, causing it to sink. The crew of the fishing boat was rescued by another Filipino vessel and brought back to shore. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
The Philippines has strongly condemned the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, calling it a “reckless and provocative act.” The country’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr., has filed a diplomatic protest against China and demanded an investigation into the incident.
China, on the other hand, has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the Philippines of illegally fishing in its waters. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, stated that the Chinese vessel was conducting law enforcement activities in its territorial waters when the collision occurred.
The Scarborough Shoal has been a point of contention between the Philippines and China for years. In 2012, China seized control of the shoal after a standoff with the Philippine Navy. The Philippines took the case to an international tribunal in 2016, which ruled in favor of the Philippines and declared China’s claims to the South China Sea as illegal. However, China has refused to recognize the ruling.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping territorial claims. The United States has also been involved in the region, conducting freedom of navigation operations to challenge China’s claims.
The Philippines has called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute and has urged China to respect international law. The two countries have agreed to conduct a joint investigation into the collision, but it remains to be seen whether this will lead to any concrete actions or resolutions.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the South China Sea and the challenges faced by countries in asserting their sovereignty in the region. It also underscores the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and preventing further escalation of tensions.
